New partnership leads to opportunities for former SSI workers

Newcastle-based Future Energy Group has teamed up with Middlesbrough College to help retrain former SSI workers as smart meter engineers.

The new partnership has already helped 20 former steelworkers gain new qualifications and Future Energy Group is now securing jobs for the engineers.

It hoped that the new partnership could help to retrain hundreds of engineers over the next few years and meet the growing demand for specialist smart meter engineers with around 16,000 needed to meet a target of 53 million homes requiring a new smart meter.

Tim Cantle-Jones, Future Energy Group managing director, said: “The new engineers have been training at our Candidates Centre in Newcastle and we’re currently looking to place them within the industry. Five of the engineers so far have gained jobs and we have four interested employers so it’s looking very positive.”

The group has taken part in a six week training course to gain a Level 2 Diploma Smart Dual Fuel.

Former crane driver at SSI, Ian Park, recently took part in the training and said: “The training course has helped me get my confidence back and retrain in a new industry.

“I’ve just received a job offer with Gas Care Ltd so I’ll be starting work soon. It’s an exciting time.”

Zoe Lewis, Middlesbrough College principal and chief executive, added: ”We’re working hard to help thousands of former steelworkers retrain and gain employment.

“The closure of the site has affected so many families and we’re delighted that we’re able to help so many people start new careers in developing industries.

“Our partnership with Future Energy Group will help to deliver new skills and create jobs.”